Rotary electrical relay



July 15, 1958 o. i. PRICE ROTARY ELECTRICAL RELAY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 15, 1953 w I? a 0% mm W. W 0%.

2 74 u M r wa fl 0 M fi /F w J 0. 1. PRICE ROTARY ELECTRICAL RELAY July 15, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 15, 1953 July 15, 1958 o. 1. PRICE ROTARY ELECTRICAL RELAY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 15, 1953 M 1 v T w .L w l F m 0 9 o m H J7 W & u a E w 1 1 M d 5 g r v 5 p w f 7/ f w \l W "m m .9 5 m m 5 5 5 6 6 6 O Wm WM 7 w atent Ofiice 2,843,7(9 Patented July 15, l fi ROTARY ELECTRICAL RELAY Osborne I. Price, Frederick, Md., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, Towson, Md., a corporation of Delaware Application October 15, 1953, Serial No. 386,239

6 Claims. (Cl. 200-104) The present invention relates to electrical relays and particularly to rotary or oscillating relays, the term relay being herein used to designate generally a device for opening or closing electrical circuits. While relays in accordance with the invention are applicable to many uses, they are especially suitable for energizing a multiplicity of electrical elements one after another in predetermined sequence. For example, they can advantageously be used to energize electromagnetic coils for tripping or actuating the needles of an electrically operated knitting machine such as that shown in the Paul L. Thurston application Serial No. 183,989, filed September 9, 1950, now Patent No. 2,680,961.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary relay suitable for continuous operation at relatively high speeds over long periods of time without appreciable wear or deterioration. Relays in accordance with the invention thus have a long life despite the hard service to which they are subjected. A further characteristic of relays in accordance with the invention is that they operate freely and efiectively so that each of a series of electrical elements is energized in turn without skipping or missing. The invention also provides convenient means for changing the phase relationship between the movement of an actuating member for operating the relay and the closing or opening of the contacts so that the contacts are actuated earlier or later, as desired. A further feature of the invention is that a plurality of relays can be mechanically interconnected and operate together, means being provided for selectively putting the relays into and out of operation, as desired.

The nature, objects and advantages of the invention will be further understood from the following description and claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a rotary relay in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is an axial section taken approximately on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken approximately on the line 33 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial bottom view.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view taken approximately on the line 5-5 in Fig. 2 and showing several contact fingers of the relay.

Fig. 6 is a circuit diagram showing connections for four relays in accordance with the invention, the relays being shown schematically.

The preferred embodiment of the invention, shown by way of example in the drawings, has a base portion 1 which is preferably formed of insulating material, for example a phenolic resin or other suitable plastic. The base can be of any suitable size and shape but is shown circular with a central hole 2. On the base 1, there is mounted an arcuate series of switches 3 arranged on a circle concentric with the hole 2. Each of the switches 3 comprises relatively movable contacts that can be opened or closed to break or make an electrical circuit. While both or all of the contacts of a switch may, if desired, be movable, it is usually more convenient to have amovable contact adapted to engage one or more stationary contacts, the term stationary being herein used to include contacts that are resiliently mounted so as to have a certain amount of movement when engaged by the movable contacts. As shown in the drawings, each of the switches 3 comprises a movable contact 4 and a stationary contact 5. The movable contact 4 of each switch is carried on a spring finger 6 that is L-shaped, having a base portion 7 secured to the base 1, for example by a screw 8. The spring finger 6 is formed wholly or in part of magnetic material or, as illustrated in flie drawing, carries a strip 9 of magnetic material which, as will be explained below, serves as an armature of an electromagnet for moving the movable contact 4.

The stationary contact 5 is shown as an arcuate or circular wire or ring that provides a contact common to all of the switches. The contact wire or ring 5 is supported by a circular collar 10 that is mounted on the base 1 and is concentric with the central hole '2 of the base. The collar 10 is formed of non-conductive and non-magnetic material, for example suitable plastic material, and is preferably thin, being only of suflicient thickness to provide adequate mechanical strength.

The spring fingers 6 are resiliently urged outwardly away from the collar 10, for example by means of springs or, as shown in the drawings, by the inherent resiliency of the fingers. Outward movement of the fingers 5 disengages the movable contacts 4 from the contact wire 5 and is limited by an insulating ring 12 supported by a band 13 that projects upwardly from the outer periphery of the base 1 and is preferably removable so as to constitute a removable cover for the switches 3.

The spring fingers 6 are adapted to be swung inwardly by one or more magnets movable in an arcuate or circular path concentric with the central hole 2 of the base plate 1 and passing in close proximity to the armature portions 9 of the fingers 6 so as to move the fingers inwardly by magnetic attraction and thereby bring the movable contacts 4 into engagement with the contact wire 5. As shown in the drawing, there are two electromagnets 15 and 16 carried, respectively, by arms 17 and 18 that are adjustably secured on a shaft 20 that passes through the central hole 2 of the base 1 and is concentric with the arcuate series of switches 3. The arms 17 and 18 are angularly adjustable relative to the shaft 20 and each other, suitable means being provided for securing them in adjusted position. The arm 18 is shown with a collar portion 21 surrounding the shaft 20 while the arm 17 has a bifurcated collar portion 22 that surrounds the shaft 20 and straddles the collar portion 21 of the arm 18.

The two electromagnets 15 and 16 are preferably alike, each comprising a coil 25 and a =C-shaped core 26 that surrounds the coil 25 on four sides except for a gap providing spaced pole faces 27. The core also has a central portion 28 that passes through the axial center of the coil 25. The pole faces 27 of the electromagnets 25 are preferably arcuate and are arranged to move along a circular path just inside the collar N as the shaft 29 is turned or oscillated. As the electromagnets sweep past the switches 3, they attract the armature portions 9 of the spring fingers 6 and thereby pull the spring fingers inwardly one after another to bring the movable contacts 4 into contact with the wire 5. After the magnets have passed, the fingers 6' spring to their outer position, thereby breaking the contact. Preferably strips or buttons 29 r.) of a magnetic material of high permeability are inserted in the collar 16 so as to be in line with the pole faces 27 of the electromagnets, thereby providing a magnetic path of higher permeability between the cores 26 of the electromagnets and the armatures 9.

Means is provided for supplying electric current to the electromagnets l and 16 so as to energize these magnets selectively. As illustrated in the drawings, provision is made for energizing the electromagnet when the shaft turns in one direction and energizing the electromagnet 16 when the shaft turns in the opposite direction. Two slip rings 39 and 31 are mounted on the upper and lower faces, respectively, of a stationary disc 32 of insulating material supported by a bushing 33 that surrounds the shaft and is removably secured in the central hole 2 of the base 1, for example by a nut 34. A cage 35 surrounds the disc 32 and comprises an upper ring 36 and lower ring 37 secured to the upper and lower faces, respectively, of an insulating ring 38. Each of the rings 36 and carries a plurality of inwardly projecting brushes 39 adapted to engage the slip rings 3t) and 31, respectively. The slip rings 3t? and 31 are connected to the opposite sides of a suitable power supply, for example by leads 4?. and 42. The lower contact ring 37 of the cage 35 is connected by leads 43 and 44 (Fig. l) with one terminal of each of the electromagnets l5 and 16. A switch assembly comprises a contact pin 45 which projects upwardly from the upper contact ring 36 and is disposed between two spaced resilient contacts 46 and d7 carried by the magnet arm 18 but electrically insulated from the arm. The contact an is connected by a lead 4-8 to the remaining terminal of the electromagnet 25. The contact 47 is connected by a lead 49 with the remaining terminal of the electromagnet 16. When the shaft 2 3*, and hence the magnets 15 and 16, rotate in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l, the contact 4-6 engages the pin 45 and carries the cage 35 around with the magnets. Electric ct rrent is thereby supplied to the coil of the electromagnet 15 through the lead 32, slip ring 38, contact ring 36, pin 45, contact 46 and lead 4-8 with a return through lead 43, lower contact ring 37, slip ring 31 and lead 41. When the shaft carrying the electromagnets is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the electromagnet 16 is energized in like manner by the engagement of contact 47 with the contact pin 45. The spacing and resiliency of the contacts 46 and d7 is such that when one of said contacts is in driving engagement with the pin 45 the other contact does not engage the pin. Hence, the electromagnet 15 is energized when the shaft 26 turns in a clockwise direction and the electromagnet i6 is. energized when the shaft turns counterclockwise. in this manner, the leading magnet is energized in both directions of rotation. This is of particular importance when the relay is used for an electrically operated knitting machine, as suggested above, in order to provide the required lead between needle selection and needle and sinker actuation.

The electrical connections for the relay are shown more fully in the bottom view, Fig. 4-. The lead 41 from the lower slip ring 51 is connected to a terminal 51 on the bottom of the base 1. The end 42; from the upper slip ring fit) is connected to a terminal 5'2 through a connector 53 and fuse Sal. T16 connector 53 is also connected by a strip 55 to a wire ring 56 on the bottom of the base plate ll. A connection (Fi 3) extends up from the Wire ring 56 to the contact ring in order to minimize sparking when the contacts 4-, are opened, a condenser 53, which is preferably of the small, sealed wafer type, is connected between the base of each of the spring fingers 6 and the ring Each of the spring contact arms 6 carrying a contact 4 is connected with an individual element that is to be controlled by the contacts, for example an electromagnet for actuating a needle of a knitting machine. The other side of the circuit is connected to the common contact ring 5, for example through 4 the terminal 52 (Fig. 4), fuse 54, connector 53 and strip 55, as described above.

Fig. 6 illustrates schematically how a plurality of relays in accordance with the invention can be used together, for example in the control of a knitting machine. in this figure, four relays are shown by way of example, mounted one above the other in axial alignment, the base plate being provided with suitable brackets as (Fig. l) for mounting them. The shaft 20 extends through all the relays and is provided with suitable means, for example a gear 61, for rotating it in either direction. The electromagnets l5 and 16 of the respective relays are mounted on the shaft 20, as described above, and hence all rotate together with the shaft. While, for ease and clarity of illustration, the electromagnets of the several relays have all been shown in the same position, it will be understood that the angular positions of the electromagnets with respect to the shaft 20 may be adjusted desired. Thus, for example, the two magnets of one relay may be farther apart than those of another and the magnets of one relay may be in a different angular position with relation to the shaft 26 than those of another. While each of the relays has been shown with two electromagnets, the number may be varied as desired.

Power is supplied to the relays from a suitable source which is preferably direct current. Three supply leads, 63, 64 and are shown in the drawing, although the two outside leads 63 and 65 may, if desired, be combined. Suitable switching means 66, which may be either manual or automatic and either separate or combined, as desired, is provided for the power supply. The lead 64 is connected through a conductor 7t) with the terminals 52 (Fig. 4) of each of the relays. As described above, this terminal 52 is connected with the contact ring 5 and also, through the upper slip ring 3%) and contact ring 36, to the pin 45 which is connected to one or the other of the electromagnets 15, 16, depending on the direction of rotation. The power supply lead 65 is connected, through two sets of switches 7i and 72 and suitable conductors 73, to the terminals 51 of the respective relays which, as described above, are connected through leads 41, lower slip rings 31 and lower contact rings 37 with the other terminals of the electromagnets l5 and 1d. The two sets of switches 71 and 72 are connected in parallel with one another, each set cornprising an individual switch for each of the relays. Hence, the electromagnets of a relay can be energized either by closing the proper switch in set 71 or by closing the corresponding switch in set 72. In a knitting machine, the switches 71 and '72 are automatically controlled. For example, the switches 71 may be controlled by the patterning mechanism of the machine while the switches 72 may be controlled by cams on the driving mechanism, so that they are periodically opened and closed. It will be understood that, instead of bein connected in parallel, the switches 71 and 72 may be arranged in series and that different or additional switching mechanism may be provided for controlling the energizing of the electromagnets 15 and 16 of the respective relays.

Each of the individual contact fingers 6 of the relays is connected by a suitable conductor 75 to one terminal of an individual element 76 that is to be controlled by the respective contact finger. In Fig. 6, the elements 76 are illustrated schematically as electromagnets and, to avoid complication of the drawings, only a few of such elements are shown. The other terminals of the controlled elements 76 are connected, for example through switches '77 and a conductor 7 3, to the supply terminal 63. Hence, when a contact is closed, current will be supplied to the corresponding element 76 through power supply lead 64, switch 66, terminal 52, contact ring 5, contact finger 6 and conductor '75, with the return through switch 77, conductor 78 and switch 66 to lead 63. It will be seen that, as an energized magnet 15 or 16 sweeps past the arcuately arranged contact fingers 6, these fingers are successively brought into engagement with the ring 5, held momentarily in engagement as the magnet-which has a predetermined circumferential extent-moves past and are then released.

While all of the relays shown in Fig. 6 are mechanically connected since the electromagnets of all of the relays are mounted on the same shaft 20, the relays can nevertheless be selectively and individually controlled by controlling the energizing or deenergizing of the electromagnets, for example through the switches 71 and 72. Even though the magnets continue to be moved by the rotation or oscillation of the shaft 20, a relay nevertheless is inoperative and inactive when the electromagnets are deenergized. There is thus provided a simple and effective means for individually and selectively controlling the several relays.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown by way of example in the drawings, it will be understood that the invention is in no way limited to this embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Thus, for example, the contact wire 5 might be mounted on the insulating ring 12 so that contact is broken, rather than made, when the spring finger 6 is attracted by the magnet. Alternatively, contact rings might be provided on both the collar 10 and the ring 12 so that one contact is broken when another is made. Moreover, the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 6 is merely illustrative of many circuits in which one or more relays in accordance with the invention may advantageously be used.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an electrical relay, a base, an annularly-disposed series of armatures of magnetic material movably mounted on said base, an electrical contact associated with and movable with each of said armatures, a stationary contact in position to be engaged by each of said movable contacts, each of said armatures being movable between a closed position in which its associated contact engages said stationary contact and an open position in which its associated contact is free of said stationary contact, a plurality of electro-magnets movable along an arcuate path adjacent said armatures and adapted to act successively on said armatures and by magnetic attraction successively move the armatures and their associated contacts to one oi": said positions, means for selectively energizing said magnets, bias means for moving said armatures and associated contacts successively to the other of said positions when the magnets have passed, and means for imparting movement to said magnets alternately in opposite directions, said energizing means being arranged to energize one magnet when the magnets are moving in one direction and another magnet when the magnets are moving in the opposite direction.

2. An electrical relay according to claim 1, in which said magnets are angularly spaced from one another.

3. An electrical relay according to claim 1, in which said energizing means energizes the leading magnet in each direction of movement.

4. In an electrical relay, a base, a shaft rotatable relative 'to said base, an arm projecting laterally from said shaft, a plurality of electromagnets carried by said arm and movable along an arcuate path by rotation of said shaft, means for selectively energizing said magnets, said energizing means including a slip ring on said base, pick-up means carried by said arm and contacting said slip ring, a first contact connected with one magnet, a second contact connected to another magnet, and a third contact disposed between said first and second contacts and movable into engagement with said first contact by rotation of the shaft in one direction and into engagement with said second contact by rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction, said third contact being connected to said pick-up means to supply current alternatively to the magnets to which said first and second contacts are respectively connected, a series of armatures of magnetic material movably mounted on said base and arranged in an are adjacent the path of said magnets so as to be successively attracted by said magnets when energized as they move past said armatures, and electrical contacts associated with said armatures and movable between an open position and a closed position by movement of said armatures.

5. In an electrical relay, a base, an annularly-disposed series of armatures of magnetic material movably mounted on said base, an electrical contact associated with and movable with each of said armatures, a stationary contact in position to be engaged by each of said movable contacts, eachv of said armatures being movable between a closed position in which its associated contact engages said stationary contact and an open position in which its associated contact is free of said stationary contact, a pair of angularly-spaced electro-magnets, an electrical circuit for energizing said magnets, rotatable magnetsupporting means for moving said magnets along an arcuate path adjacent said armatures, said magnets when. energized and moving in said path acting successively on said armatures to move the armatures and their associated contacts to one of said positions, bias means for moving said armatures and their associated contacts. successively to the other of said positions when the magnets have passed, said magnet-supporting means being rotatable alternately in opposite directions, said magnetenergizing circuit including switch means electrically connected to said magnets and arranged in a manner such that when the magnets are moving in one direction the leading magnets for that direction only is energized and when the magnets are moving in the opposite direction the leading magnet for the opposite direction only is energized.

6. An electrical relay as claimed in claim 5 wherein said switch means comprises a pair of spaced resilient cont-act members electrically connected to said electromagnets and movable with the latter and a coacting intermediate contact having a commuting slip-ring connection with the input side of said electrical circuit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 260,043 Nutting June 27, 1882 515,108 Callender Feb. 20, 1894 692,217 Sundh Jan. 28, 1902 782,731 Eastwood Feb. 14, 1905 793,514 Eastwood June 27, 1905 867,475 Carichofi Oct. 1, 1907 1,995,895 Parks Mar. 26, 1935 2,310,138 Whittaker Feb. 2, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 277,787 Great Britain Sept. 29, 1927 520,540 Germany Mar. 12, 1931 600,972 France Nov. 21, 1925 

